Blessed: Part 5 - 'The Merciful'

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Matthew chapter 5 verses 1 - 7

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
‘Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
‘Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.




Prayer and Reflection:

Loving Heavenly Father, thank you for showing us mercy and grace. It is Your mercy that holds back what we deserve and Your grace that gives us what we don't deserve.

Holy Spirit please fill us with your power so that we see others as you see them, made in your image. And just as you have mercy on us, help and guide us to have mercy on others.

We ask this in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ who through his death on the cross at Calvary was the great example of mercy.

Amen



Questions to Consider

1. What is your understanding of ‘merciful’?
2. Think of a time when you had to change your impression or opinion of a person or situation because you didn’t initially understand all the relevant circumstances.
3. Read Matthew 18:23-35. How is the situation between the king and his servant like that between God and you? Do you need to change and how might you do that?
4. Can you give a ‘modern-day’ example of someone who is a merciful person? Would you describe yourself as a merciful person? 
5. What is there in your life right now that might require you to be merciful?
6. Reflect and discuss, (with examples) how Jesus himself modelled mercy. 
7. What is your interpretation of what Jesus said in John15:5? ‘I am the vine you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing.’